World · World News Bureau
Peace board excludes UNRWA from Gaza operations amid Israeli pressure
A international peace organization has decided against involving the UN Relief and Works Agency in Gaza reconstruction efforts, a move critics say aligns with Israeli government positions calling for the agency's removal from the territory.
LSN World News ·
The Board of Peace, an international mediation and peace-building organization, has determined that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) will have no operational role in Gaza, according to recent statements from the body.
The decision mirrors longstanding calls from Israeli officials to exclude UNRWA from humanitarian operations in the Palestinian enclave. Israeli government representatives have repeatedly argued that the agency should be sidelined from Gaza affairs, citing various administrative and operational concerns.
UNRWA has been a primary provider of humanitarian assistance, education, and health services to Palestinians in Gaza for decades. The organization serves millions of registered refugees across the Middle East, with a substantial presence in the territory.
The Board of Peace's exclusion of the agency from its Gaza framework has drawn scrutiny from humanitarian organizations and observers who question whether the decision reflects operational assessments or external political pressure. International aid groups have expressed concern that removing UNRWA could create significant gaps in humanitarian services for Gaza's civilian population.
The development comes amid broader international discussions about the future structure of humanitarian operations in Gaza and the role of various international agencies in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.